Ashwagandha, also known as Indian ginseng, has become increasingly popular in the natural health community due to its many potential health benefits. In addition to being safe and effective, ashwagandha has also been shown to have a wide range of positive effects on your mind and body, including improving brain function, reducing stress and anxiety, supporting heart health, and even helping with depression. Explore the proven health benefits of ashwagandha below to learn more about this powerful herb!
What is Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha is an herb in the nightshade family that is native to India and Asia. People commonly use it for its anti-inflammatory properties and overall strength benefits. It has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. Some studies indicate that ashwagandha may have anticancer effects like blueberries; specifically, a study published in Cancer Investigation showed that ashwagandha had a positive effect on non-small cell lung cancer. Other studies suggest ashwagandha may help with stress management and mental disorders, including Alzheimer's disease.
Uses of Ashwagandha
The major use and benefit that most individuals enjoy from ashwagandha are its stress reducing properties. Ashwagandha has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic Medicine as a way to combat physical, mental, and emotional stress. Many individuals have also found ashwagandha to be beneficial for anxiety disorders and insomnia. Other uses include treating fatigue, depression, general weakness or exhaustion, heart disease, arthritis, indigestion or gas/bloating, reproductive system disorders (male or female), cancer prevention and relief from sexual dysfunction. Additionally some athletes find that ashwagandha can boost their athletic performance by increasing strength endurance and stamina while at the same time lowering recovery time between workouts.
Other Benefits of Ashwagandha
The root of ashwagandha is used in Ayurvedic medicine, like costus igneus, to treat a wide variety of ailments. It’s traditionally used as an aphrodisiac, and it has also been shown to have anti-anxiety effects when taken in small doses. The active ingredients in ashwagandha are believed to help balance cortisol levels (which decreases anxiety), and improve physical performance by increasing strength and endurance. To increase your ability to focus, try taking 250–500 mg of ashwagandha before working out! For more ideas about how to increase energy, check out our post on 10 Natural Energy Boosters for Your Daily Routine.
Side Effects
Not all herbs have a reputation for being completely safe and side-effect free. While ashwagandha has been shown to be well tolerated, it is always important to talk with your doctor before beginning any new health regimen. As always, don’t begin taking a supplement, such as mango leaves, if you’re currently taking any prescription medications. In fact, there are certain medications that may cause more severe side effects when used in conjunction with ashwagandha.
How to Use Ashwagandha
This herb can be taken in a few different ways, but most people either brew it as a tea or make it into an extract. For both options, take 1 to 2 cups daily. If you find that ashwagandha isn’t agreeing with your body and is causing stomach upset, back off on consumption until your body adjusts; everyone’s body reacts differently to treatments like these. As always, ask your doctor if he or she recommends ashwagandha for any particular health problem or if there are other herbal supplements you could use instead.
How Much Ashwagandha Per Day is Enough?
Given its potent abilities, ashwagandha isn’t a health supplement you should take unless you have been recommended to by your doctor. At that point, you need to find out how much to take in order to get maximum results. Many sources will recommend taking up to 1-2 grams of ashwagandha per day. Keep in mind that doses above 2 grams aren’t necessarily going to give you better results—they can actually be quite dangerous and cause side effects. In general, it’s best not to go overboard on supplements unless prescribed by a professional and even then, stick with doses under 2 grams per day.
How Long Does Ashwagandha Take To Work?
As with most herbal supplements, it can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for ashwagandha to take effect. But as soon as you start taking it regularly, you’ll begin to notice more energy and better sleep patterns. At its most powerful, ashwagandha has been known to reduce anxiety, stress and improve memory and mood. Regular use is one way of making sure your body stays in peak health; by starting off right, you’re doing yourself (and any loved ones) a huge favor in terms of having fewer instances of illness or injury. As with all supplements or herbal remedies—treat them with respect and see what works best for you!
Are Ashwagandha Gummies The Way To Go?
When it comes to your health, you want to make sure that you’re doing everything in your power to improve not only how you feel, but also what’s happening inside your body. For example, there are a number of people who have reported that taking supplements can help improve their overall mental health and well-being. With that in mind, today we’re going to take a look at ashwagandha gummies—along with some of their benefits and what makes them different from others on the market today. But first, let’s learn a little bit more about ashwagandha itself: what it is and why it might be beneficial for your body. What Is Ashwagandha?
The Bottom Line
As an adaptogen, ashwagandha can help a person balance hormones and combat stress. Because it works with your body rather than against it, ashwagandha has very few known side effects. Though still new to North America, traditional Asian medicine practitioners have been using ashwagandha for thousands of years for its calming effects on both mind and body. Research suggests that ashwagandha can help balance cortisol levels, lower blood sugar and relieve anxiety – potentially lowering risks for type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. Plus, it may even help us sleep better at night! To find out more about how you can start enjoying all these benefits today, keep reading!